Category Archives: History

Jane Austen Dance for the Australian Heritage Festival

Presented by Samford Community Folk Dancers with awesome live music by Phillip’s Dog. The theme for the 2024 Australian Heritage Festival is Connections: celebrating the rich and diverse stories of our nation, strengthening cultural and historical ties and encouraging the … Continue reading

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National Folklore Conference 2024

National Folklore Conference Join Dr Heather Clarke at the National Folklore Conference for a presentation on the success of the national tour of the Dancing in Fetters exhibition. When: Thursday 28th MarchTime: 1:30 – 4:30pmWhere: Epic, Canberra For more information … Continue reading

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Convict Culture Week Resources

Programme Updated 3:00pm 18th May 2023 Norfolk Island Convict Tune Book Norfolk Island – Tasmanian Tune Session Norfolk Island Convict Song Book A selection of songs from the convict concert of 25 May 1840. Basic song melodies A select preview … Continue reading

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April School Holiday Activity

Why was dance so important to the Convicts?What kind of dances did they do? And what did they wear? Come find out during the April school holidays. Dress up and dance like the convicts. At the Rocks Discovery Museum.

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Irish convict musicians

Blind Loftus opened the proceeding by dancing a hornpipe, then came Irish jigs, reels, and songs, and when the boys got warm they were as wild as goats without a shepherd.  The spree was kept up for three days and … Continue reading

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A Convict Quadrille – National Heritage Festival

Apr 28, 2023, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM A special dance for the Australian Heritage FestivalHills District Community Centre, 291 Dawson Parade, Arana Hills, QLD 4520. Tickets $4.00 online or at the door. The Story of John Bushell In 1831, … Continue reading

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Notable convicts

Read the stories of convicts notable for the music and dancing in their lives. Edward Elliot was a highly respected dancing master from Ireland whose life was turned around when he was accused of rebellion and sent as a convict … Continue reading

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Convict Culture Week on Norfolk Island

19 May 2023 – 27 May 2023 Celebrating Maconochie’s Frolic For one day in 1840 the convicts on Norfolk Island were encouraged to dance, sing and play.  On 25 May they celebrated the birthday of the young Queen Victoria in … Continue reading

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Tour dates

Dancing in Fetters: the culture of convict dance is a museum exhibition presenting the lost heritage of convict dance and music. It re-traces the origins of this largely unknown aspect of life in the early penal colony based on the … Continue reading

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A – Dancing reported by Police

Back to main page Next page ► ABBOTT, John Two escaped prisoners dancing Ann Sneid, alias Puckeridge, was charged with harbouring two men, named George Wright and John Abbott, two prisoners of the Crown illegally at large in her house. … Continue reading

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